Entertaining "Waves of Japan: Night of Drums and Dreams" Gala Feb. 23

College of DuPage Foundation, in support of the McAninch Arts Center (MAC) and the Cleve Carney Museum of Art (CCMA), hosts “Waves of Japan: Night of Drums and Dreams," a benefit gala, 4-9 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 23 at the MAC, 425 Fawell Blvd. The MAC will be transformed into a Japanese Night Market for the event which features dinner, Japanese art-making demonstrations, a silent auction and a full-length production by Yamato: The Drummers of Japan on stage in the Belushi Performance Hall.

The evening will begin with premium ticket guests mixing and mingling in the MAC lobby while enjoying an open bar, passed hors d’ oeuvres and a Japanese Night Market themed menu served via food carts, catered by Blue Plate. There will also be the chance to observe a wood block print demonstration and engage in a tempting silent auction for travel opportunities, golf, dining, theater and one-of-a-kind items including a “Smartless” t-shirt signed by Jennifer Aniston, Will Arnet, Jason Bateman, Sondra Bullock and Sean Hayes, an original print by Chicago artist Tony Fitzpatrick and pearl jewelry by Cottage Hill Diamonds.

A major highlight of the evening will be the 7 p.m. performance by Yamato: The Drummers of Japan on the Belushi Performance Hall stage. This powerhouse performance featuring more than 40 taiko drums will channel the heartbeat of Yamato's homeland in a spectacularly athletic show guaranteed to quicken the pulse and infuse the spirit.

Gala Chair is Marcie Peterson. She is assisted by a committee of 14 including Morgan Bainbridge, Angela Bender, Sharon D'Alessandro, Debbie Henderson, Karen Kuhn, Nancy Lehrer, Diana Martinez, Rachel McKay, Jon Nadel, Janie Oldfield, Barb Reimann, Rene Richards, Shelley Weiler and Kathleen Yosko.

The Host Committee includes Anonymous, Karen and Gene Kuhn, Katherine and Gary Lietz, Mark Curtis Chavez and Aracely Munoz-Curtis, Drs. Christine and Thomas Hammond, Annette and Frank Shoemaker, Diana Martinez, Kathleen Yosko, Hon. Bonnie M. Wheaton, Joan Morrissey, Margaret H. McCoy and Barbara Lemme, ED.D.

Premium tickets are $250. A $150 Balcony Party ticket including refreshments, hors d’oeuvres and concert ticket on the balcony of the Belushi Performance Hall is also available. A portion of the gala ticket price is a donation to the College of DuPage Foundation Major Exhibition Fund and will be dedicated to presenting the summer 2025 exhibition, “Hokusai and Ukiyo-e: The Floating World, Artworks from the Chiossone Collection.” Event and table sponsorships are also available. For tickets, sponsorships or more information call 630.942.3088, email foundation@codfound.org or visit hokusai.givesmart.com.

Lead benefit gala sponsors for “Waves of Japan: Night of Drums and Dreams" are DuPage Foundation and Steve and Megan Shebik. Additional benefit gala sponsor support is provided by Mark and Marcie Peterson, Annette and Frank Shoemaker, Andy and Kelly Dahle, Christopher B. Burke Engineering and Vistex Corporation.